Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 119011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
“Nope. I’m not having any of that. He’s got such a fucking hard-on for you. Did you even know that? He…” Leo hesitated as he looked up. “I couldn’t see his name anywhere in your notebook.”
Zolt froze, his gaze pinned to the party below, because it felt as if Leo had just put a noose around his neck and might be about to push him out the window. “He’s gay. No reason to put him in the notebook.”
“And that list at the end? You’re never gonna fuck a firefighter or a lumberjack now if you stay with me.” It sounded like teasing, but Zolt couldn’t see Leo’s face as it lay against his shoulder. He still remembered the hurt in Leo’s voice, and the barely held back tears when he’d yelled at Zolt over ‘biker’ being ticked off in the journal.”
“I bet they wouldn’t spoon me as well as you do,” Zolt said, blindly finding Leo’s hand and squeezing it. Not that long ago, he’d been ready to defend the existence of his green notebook tooth and nail, but the record he kept was about vanity, and Leo was more important than his ego.
Hesitating, he pulled Leo’s hand to his lips and kissed it the same way Leo had done to him a few moments back. So maybe he was turning into a sap. But he didn’t care, because it made him lightheaded in a way he’d forgotten existed. For so long, his sex life had been all about hunting, about showcasing his prowess, but around Leo he could be himself, without the fear of judgment. He could allow himself to be that little spoon and not worry about his partner seeing him as less masculine.
“I’ll want to redecorate. I was thinking of tearing down the wall between the living room and your stupid ‘storage’ space where you put everything you don’t wanna deal with.”
A scowl passed through Zolt’s features, but the determination in Leo’s gaze had him shrugging. “Fine. But only if you handle it yourself.”
Leo kissed his neck, in that sensitive spot where the beard ended. “You know I love to deal with ‘stuff’ on my own. The bigger question is how will you feel about being in a relationship with a dad?”
Zolt groaned and pushed his face into the crook of Leo’s neck. “Is this a test? Because if it is, I don’t know my way around kids.”
Leo chuckled, stroking Zolt’s back. “I’m just teasing. I… You know I’ve had this life plan for many years now, but I can’t remember ever being this excited about the future.”
Zolt met his gaze. “Yuh. I know how that feels. Except… I’m more terrified than excited, if I’m to be honest.”
Leo laughed and kissed him again. “Am I that scary? I know. It’s my dad, isn’t it? You worried he’ll murder you in your sleep?”
“Of course I am. I’m the big bad wolf who snatched his picture perfect son and made him like dick.”
Leo licked his lips, and looked up at Zolt with dark blue eyes Zolt loved to drown in. “His son really fucking likes dick, so there’s no fighting that anymore. It’s weird, you know? Because I still rarely think of other guys this way. I don’t walk down the street thinking how I’d want some other guy on top of me—ugh. Actually, just thinking about it makes me tense. But I get so horny when it’s you in the picture.”
Zolt stared at him, his heart thudding so loudly even Leo might notice, and for a moment he was embarrassed of the way Leo’s declaration made him sit that bit taller. “Good. You better not.”
Leo looked out the window when several red flares lit the sky, and Zolt’s chest expanded when he realized it was a signal from the Exterminators. They’d done the job. Evidence had been planted to implicate the Jackals in the crimes the Smokeys had been constantly accused of, and the enemy was dead.
Done and dusted for the cost of Zolt’s peaceful retirement.
Worth it.
Those in the know howled their approval below, but Zolt hugged Leo more tightly and shut his eyes, allowing himself to enjoy the dream of a future that was all about community. And Leo.
“Let’s join them. After what you did for the club, no one better dare say any more stupid shit to you,” Leo said and pulled on Zolt’s hand, but then did a U-turn and grabbed the bottle of whisky.
Zolt wasn’t used to a partner wanting to show him off, and while he’d been an out gay man for a long time, he didn’t usually present as tender or compassionate. He was the kind of gay man who postured and cracked gross jokes, to make the straights just the right amount of uncomfortable to leave him alone. But if the people below were to become his family through Leo, then he needed to relax and be himself for once.